Yamaha Tenere 700 World Raid (DM12) — Adventure
NastyNils / Yamaha Press

2026 · Adventure · Buyer's Guide

Tenere 700 World Raid (DM12)

4.5 / 5 NastyNils Rating · against its class

Built to Go the Distance

The Machine's Character

The World Raid takes Yamaha's 689 cc CP2 parallel twin, a liquid-cooled unit good for 73 hp and 50 lb-ft, and wraps it in a chassis built for the long way around. A 21-inch front wheel, better than nine inches of fork travel, and 9.8 inches of ground clearance mean it reads a rough road the way a real adventure bike should. YCC-T throttle-by-wire, ride modes, traction control, and cornering ABS run the electronics, while the low-slung 6.1 gal (23 L) tank sets its intent: get out past the pavement and stay out there for days.

On the road it feels tractable and honest, the kind of engine that pulls cleanly from low revs and never asks for drama. Reliability is its headline virtue, and the deep aftermarket lets you shape it to your route and keep it running for years. Who is it for? Riders who actually leave the tarmac and cover big distance between stops. The honest caveat: at 35.0 in (890 mm) the seat is tall, and at 485 lb (220 kg) wet this is a substantial machine to wrestle when the trail turns genuinely technical.

Hard Numbers

Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.

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Key specifications
Power 73 hp (54 kW) @ 9,000 rpm
Torque 50 lb-ft (68 Nm) @ 6,500 rpm
Displacement 689 cc
Engine Parallel twin
Cooling Liquid-cooled
Gearbox 6-speed
Final drive Chain
Fork Upside-down (USD)
Front tire 90/90-21
Rear tire 150/70-18
Ground clearance 9.8 in (250 mm)
Front travel 9.1 in (230 mm)
Rear travel 8.7 in (220 mm)
Seat height 35.0 in (890 mm)
Wet weight 485 lb (220 kg)
Fuel capacity 6.1 gal (23 L)

Equipment check

Chassis

  • Front Suspension Adjustable Standard
  • Rear Suspension Adjustable Standard
  • Cruise Control Standard

Connectivity

  • TFT Display Standard
  • Smartphone Connectivity Standard

Lighting

  • LED Headlight Standard

Safety

  • ABS Standard
  • Cornering ABS Standard
  • Traction Control Standard
  • Ride Modes Yamaha YCC-T (Chip Controlled Throttle) Refined throttle responseSelectable ride modes Standard
Aerial drone view of Palomar Divide Road winding through chaparral-covered mountain ridges in San Diego County. Multiple S-curve sections descend through sparse vegetation with distant valley views visible in the haze. Gravel and packed-earth surface.

The Expert Benchmark

Where this Yamaha Tenere 700 World Raid pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.

What kind of bike this is — character vs. the class

This bike Class average

The shape of the Yamaha Tenere 700 World Raid — numbers and character vs. the average Adventure

Head-to-head: Yamaha Tenere 700 World Raid vs. its rivals

The Long-Haul Verdict

Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Tenere 700 World Raid is actually built for.

Aerial view of a winding asphalt road cutting through volcanic terrain on La Gomera, Canary Islands. The road curves through sparse green vegetation with rocky volcanic peaks visible in the background and a settled valley to the left. Clear lane markings, dry climate, partly cloudy sky.

Best motorcycle for Moab?

Made for Moab slickrock and desert two-tracks. The 21-inch front and long travel let you pick technical lines with confidence, though the weight asks for real skill when the going gets tight.

Made for Bar M / Kane Creek · Imperial Sand Dunes · Johnson Valley OHV Area

Best touring motorcycle for long distance?

Coast-to-coast miles and national park loops are exactly where this shines. Big tank, real range, proven reliability. Loaded two-up, 73 hp means you ride the torque and plan your passes.

Made for Beartooth Highway · Blue Ridge Parkway · Going-to-the-Sun Road

Best motorcycle for Highway 1?

For day-long back-road runs it's comfortable and willing, with enough lean room to enjoy a twisty pass. Just know it's built tall and dirt-biased, so committed pavement riders give up some sharpness.

Made for Black Hills · Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherohala Skyway

What's new versus the previous generation

If you're cross-shopping the older generation, here's what changed.

Yamaha Tenere 700 World Raid (DM11)

Previous generation · 2022–2025

Yamaha Tenere 700 World Raid (DM11)

Built to Last, Built Far

Compare to the previous model →